Don’t Panic: 5 Things To Do After Flood Damage

No one expects or is prepared for a flood but it is one of the most common disasters. Flooding can happen if there’s excessive rain, massive pipe bursts, earthquakes, overflows, and a variety of other reasons. Water can easily become an unstoppable force that overcomes everything in its path. You can do nothing but wait this disaster out and work on clean-up after the flood has passed. If you take the right steps, you should be able to minimize the damage. Here are some suggestions that can help you with the flood damage:

1. Ensure Your Safety

The first step is to ensure your safety. Water might look harmless on the surface, but it can cause extensive damage to your property. The excessive moisture can sink into the porous building materials and damage them from the inside. Floors become weak, drywalls become soggy, and even the beams can be damaged during a flood. You need to make sure your property is structurally sound before you attempt to step inside it. Emergency responders or professionals from flood cleanup companies will tell you if the property is safe to enter. Until it is, its important to make alternative living arrangements.

2. Document the Damage

If your property is insured, you need to document the extent of the damage immediately after the flood water recede. This will help with the insurance claim and ensure you get the right amount of money as compensation. You can take pictures from your phone camera or a normal hand-held camera if you have access to it. Take as many pictures as you can immediately after the damage as occurred.

3. Call the Insurance Company

You shouldn’t delay in calling the insurance company after the disaster has struck. Find your insurance documentation if you can and check if flood damage is covered by your insurance policy. Call them even if you think flood damage isn’t covered and explain your situation to them in detail. It’s important to be honest and clear about the extent of the damage. The insurance company will recommend some steps to help mitigate the problem. Follow their advice as much as you can. This will help with the claims process at a later date.

4. Call a Flood Restoration Service

After you’ve called the insurance company, you should call the flood damage repair company. Most insurance companies will recommend a service, but you’re not obligated to accept their choice. You should choose a restoration service you can trust so do some research before you call. Explain the extent of the damage to them and book an appointment. Most restoration companies will consider this an emergency.

5. Secure Your Property

You should board up and secure your property with the help of the restoration company in order to minimize the damage. Make sure to document this for your insurance company as well. This will help you with the claims process as well. The insurance company won’t have an excuse to reduce the compensation amount if you take steps to mitigate the damage.

These steps will help you secure your property and minimize the damage caused by floods. It will also help with the flood damage restoration process.